Fixture

Match Report - Chepstow u8 v Cinderford u8

Chepstow Under 8’s travelled deep in to the forest on Sunday morning to take on Cinderford. Crossing the border meant a compact pitch with limited space for either side and with English rules also in play the team had to contend with multiple challenges after the Easter break

Kameli got the game underway and some quick passing put Chepstow deep inside the Cinderford half. Some initial confusion around the exact location of the try line saw Henry and then Owen touch down in error however having retained the ball, a quick pass out to Amelie who gave Chepstow an early lead. From the restart Chepstow managed to claim three tags however they couldn’t prevent Cinderford striking back to level the match. The home side then preceded to showcase their defensive capabilities drawing two 6 tag turnovers and using their possession to add a further two tries as a result. Chepstow looked short of ideas on how to break the line and with limited space to run the speed merchants were swiftly nullified by a keen Cinderford team bursting with enthusiasm. Otis introduction mid-way through the half brought about an immediate try however Cinderford struck again and were awarded a try despite the player only having one tag. At the restart captain Will went on a surging run and when tagged quickly popped it over to Henry for a simple touch down. There was still time for Cinderford to grab a further try and take a 5-3 lead going in to the break.

With fresh legs introduced at half time Chepstow were out of the blocks like lightening and a steal from Otis caught Cinderford napping as he grabbed his second of the match. It was then Chepstow’s’ turn to show their defensive prowess with their first 6 tag turnover of the game, the final tags taken by Otis and Tomas who combined well to thwart the threat of Cinderford’s physical presence . From the restart Will went on a driving run, passed to Henry, on to Tomas and finally on to Flynn for the equalising try, a great move at pace to bring the scores level at 5-5. Chepstow now had their tails up and when Cinderford dropped the ball at the restart Tomas and Henry were on to it like a flash, the ball ending up in Otis hands and he was only denied by a last gasp tag on the line. Chepstow however were not to be deterred, Otis restarted and Tomas dived over for the try to put Chepstow 6-5 up. Cinderford yet again lost the ball at the restart, Otis once again with the interception and he went straight for the line to add another try, what a turnaround! Cinderford pulled one back but at the restart another great move involving Tomos and Amelie set up Tomas for another try. Chepstow then forced another 6 tag turnover, Tomas grabbing the final tag yet again. Quick passing from Henry and Owen saw Amelie go over for another try. A Cinderford response kept them in touching distance before Henry struck again following good work from Owen and Amelie. A Cinderford try straight from the restart kept everyone on their toes. With the ball back in Chepstow hands Otis went on another mazy run to grab yet another try and despite another Cinderford try Chepstow had done enough to clinch the match

Final score Cinderford 8 – 11 Chepstow

Match 2

Chepstow made amends for the slow start in the first match with 5 unanswered tries in their best passage of play of the morning. Two tries from Otis as well as further tries from Amelie, Henry and Tomas will go down on the score card but some great running and tagging from all the team as they finally started to work together.

After a brief pause in play it was game on again, this time Cinderford struck first however Chepstow were once again on the scoresheet, this time through Tomos. Cinderford struck again before Flynn pulled one back for Chepstow. With tired legs evident Cinderford added two more for an unlikely comeback however it wasn’t to be as Tomas rounded off things nicely for Chepstow